MARK HUGHES has backed Nathan Blake to shine in Serbia-Montenegro after describing the loss of John Hartson as a "big blow".

Wolves striker Blake is set to replace the Celtic targetman who withdrew from Hughes' squad on Friday after failing to meet his Euro 2004 deadline.

Hughes is also without his defensive lynchpin Andy Mel- ville who is recovering from a foot injury but he was boosted by the news that Newcastle duo Gary Speed and Craig Bellamy emerged unscathed from yesterday's 2-2 draw at Leeds.

Visibly disappointed by the absence of 28-year-old Hartson - who missed the end of last season with a back injury and has recently been plagued with a calf problem - Hughes said, "Losing John is a big blow for us. He has been marvellous for me since I took over as Wales manager four years ago.

"John is very much part of the success we are having at the moment and he is going to be a loss.

"I was hopeful that he would make it for Belgrade but obviously I had been getting the wrong messages from Celtic.

"I spoke to John and I spoke to the medical people at Celtic last week and him playing ag- ainst Serbia was really not going to happen.

"It's too soon for the boy. It's unfortunate that we will be without him but the important thing now for John is to get ready for our remaining qualifiers.

"When I spoke to him I dis- covered he had not done as much work as I thought he had done. He had only trained for two days.

"There was no way he could start the game in Serbia.

"If I thought he could come on and make an impact I would take him.

"But that is too much of a risk for him. We have some big games coming up and I do not want to compromise him playing in those games."

Blake will now almost certainly lead the Welsh attack in the Red Star Stadium in what will be his first international start since the trip to Ukraine in June 2001.

The 31-year-old came on the for the last half-hour of Wol- ves' crushing 5-1 defeat at Blackburn on the weekend.

But Hughes insisted that the former Cardiff City, Sheffield United Bolton and Blackburn player is an able deputy for Hartson.

"Nathan is a ready-made replacement for John and can co- me into the side and do well," said the Wales boss.

"Nathan is an experienced player and he knows what the role entails."

Blake has had a nightmare time with injuries and has pl- ayed only a bit-part role during Hughes' reign.

"Nathan has had a frustrating time and he has had a few injury problems as well," added Hughes.

"But I've always been delighted with the way he has tr- ained when he has joined up with us.

"He has listened to every- thing that has been said to him. He has been waiting for his chance - and now he is going to get it."

Blake returned to the Premiership in May after a four-year absence when Wolves beat Shef- field United in the First Divi- sion play-off final.

He has recently shaken off a thigh injury and replaced Jorge Silas at Ewood Park after 59 minutes of his side's disastrous Premiership baptism.

"I remember Nathan coming on as a late substitute against Italy and straight away he ma- de a hard tackle and got book- ed," said Hughes.

"That shows how desperate he was to get onto the pitch. With that attitude he will be OK in Serbia."